Single Idea 20543

Hayek thinks the whole idea of social justice involves a philosophical mistake, so that inequality doesn't really need justification in the first place.

Gist of Idea

'Social justice' is a confused idea, and inequalities need no justification

Source

report of F.A. Hayek (The Mirage of Social Justice [1976]) by Adam Swift - Political Philosophy (3rd ed) 1 'Conc'

Book Reference

Swift,Adam: 'Political Philosophy (3rd edn)' [Polity 2014], p.54

A Reaction

It is certainly hard to justify the claim that the state of nature involves equality, making its disturbance in need of justification. But surely inequalities in government policy (such as differential income tax) need justification?